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Shall We Blame My Attitude?

Posted on June 29, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have long maintained that it was useless to try to get anything done on a Sunday.  Once again, I have proven myself right.

Oh, I know all about self-fulfilling prophecies.  And please do not say, “Well, you never will with that attitude.”  For heaven’s sake, by that reasoning everybody can do anything they want if they only want it bad enough.  But let me not digress into these philosophical arguments with imaginary opponents.

I went for a long run this morning up a fairly challenging hill.  My first intent was to go for a slow, leisurely run, maybe even not very long, but I changed my mind as I went.  I told myself I could just run up the hill very slowly. Not that I ever at any time run very fast.

After a shower and breakfast, I made a tossed salad for the week.  I realized once again that my weight loss goals are more like daydreams, so once again I will renew my efforts at healthy eating.  Then I went to T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables for more tomatoes to make a macaroni salad,  which eventually I did.  More calories than the tossed salad, but so yummy and seasonal!

In the afternoon, I went with my friend Kim to the End Zone Pub and Grub.  We drank wine and I ordered the hamburger I had been craving for days.  I had French fries too, especially since Kim wanted to share those.  What was I saying about weight loss daydreams?  Oh well, as they say, tomorrow is another day.

Speaking of daydreams, you may have noticed that at no time did I mention writing.  I tried but failed.  I wrote a few paragraphs in the TV Journal and that was it.  But I mean to persevere.  At least I have managed a 300 word blog post.  An entertaining blog post?  Let’s not ask for miracles, not with my attitude.

 

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Purple Potatoes on Tasty Tuesday

Posted on October 31, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I see I did a Tasty Tuesday post last week.  It may become a regular thing, because I intend to do another now.  For one reason: I can’t think of much else (oh why did I have to tell you that?  Sometimes I am too honest for my own good).

Last Sunday I roasted some purple potatoes.  I LOVE purple potatoes!  I got these at Hannaford, but I was introduced to them by T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables of Herkimer, NY, just to slip in a little local flavor (see what I did there?).  I used a 350 degree oven (does that mean I baked them?  I’m not up on my cooking terms) and tossed the potatoes in a casserole dish with oil and spices.  I used garlic powder, minced onion, paprika, basil, oregano, and Salt-Free All-Purpose Seasoning from the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica, NY (just to mention another local business).  They were yummy and there was a lot left over.

Tonight, after pouring myself a glass of Pinot Noir, so I could cook with wine, I put about half my leftover potatoes in a frying pan and started them heating.  While they sizzled, I grated some colby-jack cheese, taking frequent breaks to stir the spuds.  Once I had grated enough cheese, I cracked in two eggs and whisked.  There was more cheese than eggs, and it made an interesting kind of a pasty stuff.  I poured it over the potatoes, when I thought the potatoes were pretty much heated through.  I was kind of fascinated, because for the first time after many years of cooking eggs and cheese, I realized:  I was waiting for the eggs to HARDEN and the cheese to SOFTEN.  Paradox is a beautiful thing (I know, that little notion occurred to you years ago) (you know who you are).

It did not take long for the mixture to be done.  It was delicious.  Sometimes I am so pleased with myself as a cook.  I am far from a gourmet, but I likes what I makes!  Happy Tuesday, everyone!

 

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Somewhat Skimpy Scattered Saturday

Posted on June 11, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had meant to re-institute Saturday Running Commentary, but I didn’t get right on it soon after my run.  Then I did a bunch of other stuff, so I think a Scattered Saturday post is in order.  As always, I reserve the right to write about any and all of the activities mentioned at greater length subsequently.

So, the first thing I did was, I drank coffee.  Just in the interests of accuracy.  However, I managed to get into running clothes and out the door shortly after 7 a.m.  I took a long run, an hour and fourteen minutes.  I will OWN that Boilermaker!  At least, I will run it and finish it on my feet.  We’ll call that a win.

Back home and showered (which I am sure everyone who encountered me today appreciated), I wrote post cards.  I also go on the computer but just couldn’t settle down to making my blog post.  I was feeling icky, tired, and not inclined to do anything.  We can’t have that!  I could walk to the post office, which I usually do when I write post cards.  Then I thought how I wanted to write about Moose River Coffee Shop in Ilion, NY, for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  Writing in cafes is an excellent thing to do.  Also, when one has been having trouble writing, as I have, changing one’s surroundings can help.

Accordingly, I decided to get drive to Ilion, stopping first at Herkimer Post office.  It took some dithering to come to this decision (I’ve been in that sort of mood lately), but at last I had made my plan.  Then I could not find my notebook.  What the hell?!  Finally I said to myself, “Just pick up a notebook.  Any notebook, as long as there are blank pages in it.”  Avoiding the TV Journal and my Running Journal, I found a notebook.  Fine.

When I walked into the coffee shop, I was immediately greeted.  One of my favorite families was there, enjoying coffee and each other’s company.  They invited me to join them.  I got my coffee and did, mentioning that I had originally come in there to write.

“We’ll be quiet and let you write,” one of the daughters said.  I said I would rather visit.  We had a lovely visit, and I got a little writing done after they left.  Not a lot, I confess.  I started a letter to a friend.  However, since I described my surroundings in the letter, I felt it was a rehearsal for my magazine article.  Incidentally, that is REALLY good coffee at Moose River.

Next I headed to the Ilion Farmer’s Market at Clapsaddle Farm.  I purchased tomatoes and Gouda cheese, and chatted with folk artist Jim Parker and the lady that sells eggs (I don’t know her name; how remiss of me not to ask).  Then I went home and did laundry.

My other activities today included a trip to T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables, a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquors, and sitting on my deck with a friend.  Now I am trying to get my blog post done so I can relax myself some more and wait for my loving husband, Steven, to return from work.  I guess I’ve kind of skimped on my latter activities today, but you’ll have that on Scattered Saturday.  I hope to give proper shout-outs to the businesses mentioned, and a couple others I’ve patronized in recent days, in upcoming blog posts.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Scattered, then Nap, then Snapped

Posted on May 28, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s Wine O’Clock on a Saturday.  I wrote a blog post with that title once.  Some may feel I have not earned a wine o’clock today, but to that person I will explain, “Shut up.” (With thanks to S.J. Perelman.)

I managed to sleep in till after 6:30 this morning.  Ooh, did that feel good.  Ooh, did the coffee taste good when I had some of that.  I had not finished the first cup (I was nursing it) when I decided to go for my run.

What a run!  It was a long run!  It went up a long hill with some steep stretches!  I got endorphins.  The endorphins wore off (here’s a Freudian slip: I typed “whore” instead of “wore.”  Damn immoral endorphins!)  My computer thinks “endorphins” is not a word, but “endorphin” is.  I like it with the “s.”  Ooh, and look: on my headline, I added and “s” to “nap” to get “Snapped.”  Let’s hear it for the letter s!

I’m still on my first glass of wine, by the way.

After my run, a shower and some breakfast, I wrote my postcards while Steven finished a letter I had started to a sister-in-law.  I paused in the middle of that to put some stew beef in the crock pot for later consumption.  Before walking to the post office, I messaged my friend Kim on Facebook about getting together later.  When I got to the post office, I heard a voice say, “Hey, lady!”  It was Kim.  How serendipitous was that?  We made plans to meet at noon.

We drove out to the Herkimer County Humane Society for their garage sale.  I’ve gotten some good stuff at their garage sales!  I found some good stuff today, but I can’t tell you want, because a couple of them are presents (don’t shake your head at me for buying presents at a garage sale; it’s reduce, reuse, recycle!).  We looked at two other garage sales we had seen on the way out but did not find anything else to buy.

Next we went to T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables, at 221 Caroline St., Herkimer,  to look at plants.  I had it in mind to get my container garden together.  I saw a lot of good stuff but suddenly was overcome with tiredness.  Serious, my whole body just said, “I can’t possibly do this today.”  However, I ascertained that the place is open tomorrow and Monday, so I do not despair of getting something done soon.

Kim and I had a couple of other stops in mind, but when she asked if I was too tired, I had to say I was.  I got home in time to visit with Steven during his lunch hour.  Then I took a damn nap.  Yes, naps!  I love naps!  Before I slept, however, I started to read through the rehearsal script for The Tempest, which is LiFT Theatre Company’s summer Shakespeare production.  I must begin learning my lines!

After the nap, I had a cup of tea and tried to recover at least a modicum of ambition.  I succeeded to the extent of doing the dishes.  Then I poured myself the glass of wine referenced in the first sentence and turned on Snapped, my favorite television show.  And, as you see, I had enough ambition to make a 500+ word blog post.  Yay me!  Now to watch my show and crochet a little till it’s time to finish fixing supper.  Happy Saturday, everyone!

 

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My Local Valentine

Posted on February 15, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Happy Valentine’s Day, everybody.  Somebody on Facebook (really an invaluable source of information) said it was Galentine’s Day, when women can appreciate all their female buddies.  Imagine my disappointment to find out it had nothing to do with my favorite TV show, Galavant.  But I digress.

Digress from what, my inner critic huffs (that is, says in a huffy tone of voice; it’s not like snorting fumes or something),  you haven’t written anything yet.  Too true, too true.  Then again, this is Wrist to Forehead Sunday, is it not?  Yes, my friends, it is.

It is dreadfully cold in the Mohawk Valley today.  We were remarking on it to the fellow at T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables earlier.  It has really been not a bad winter so far.  What I really like about the frigid temperatures is how balmy 20 degrees feels afterward, because perspective is a wonderful thing.

We were at T & J’s at my suggestion to purchase eggplant for a yummy Valentine’s Day dinner, which is currently baking in the oven.  We also got a red and a yellow pepper, some sharp cheddar cheese, a bag of MacIntosh apples and a loaf of bread from  Star Bakery in Utica, NY (see, all kinds of local in today’s post).

In addition to the eggplant and peppers, the dinner features some sausage I purchased two weeks ago at Melrose Market in Frankfort, NY. They have quite a good butcher department.  And, yes, the sausage has been in my freezer since I bought it; I’m not cooking rancid sausage (Sheesh!).  Oh, I also used some garlic purchased at the Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival in Little Falls NY, last September.

With or after dinner, we will enjoy EITHER a nice champagne we got at a wine tasting at Vintage Spirits in Herkimer OR some Cayuga White from Villa Verona Vineyards, in, of course, nearby Verona, NY.  I got that at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer (I like to spread my alcohol dollar around).

As a matter of fact, I just heard a cork pop.  I think it’s time to start sipping the champagne now. Once again, I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day.

 

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Me and the Purple Potatoes

Posted on November 6, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

That should be more alliterative, like Patty and the Purple Potatoes.  That sounds like it would make a good children’s book.  I’m also thinking that Purple Potatoes (I like to capitalize it) doesn’t even sound like a real thing, but it is.  I just ate some.

Since today is Non-Sequitur Thursday, I will just interject that the poor dog across the street is barking mournfully.  I don’t think he likes to be left outside by himself.  If I still had a dog, I would have her here in the living room with me, even if she did keep bothering me for a treat or to pet her or take her for a walk.  Sorry, just a little pang of sadness, because Tabby used to eventually lie down on the floor or love seat and patiently wait till I was ready to pay attention to her.  I’m sure other dog owners understand.

Where was I? Ah yes, purple potatoes.  I purchased them at T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables in Herkimer, NY.  I had gone in primarily for some celery for my lunch.  While there I realized I also needed some tossed salad fixings, cheddar cheese, red bell peppers, and oh yeah, some potatoes.  We don’t buy potatoes all the time these days and lately I’ve been craving some.

Potatoes sometimes get a bad nutritional rap, but that’s only because carbohydrates has become such a dirty word that nobody can even say all the syllables any more (and don’t get me started on that!).  Well, really, you don’t have to deep fry them or eat them by the heaping mound.  I’m sure they are perfectly good for you in moderation.  So I started to grab some salt potatoes (oh, just be quiet, whichever of you was going to get onto me about salt; I don’t use the whole packet!).

“We have purple potatoes now,” a lady said.  I think she was one of the owners, but I foolishly did not ask.

She explained that purple potatoes are better for you than the regular kind.  They don’t raise your cholesterol.  That shows how much I pay attention.  I didn’t know potatoes were bad for cholesterol.  I thought that was bacon.

“You cook them the same as the regular kind?” I asked.   Yes, I was told.  They are just like the regular kind only purple all the way through.  So I bought them.  I baked them in a kind of a casserole with the red pepper, some onion, cheese, sour cream… oh a bunch of stuff.  It was YUMMY!

I ate some of the leftovers before making this post.  As you can see, it gave me enough energy to make a post that is NOT me whining about how I’m too tired and busy to write a blog post.  Tune in again on Lame Post Friday when Mohawk Valley Girl says,  “EEEE!  It’s Opening Night for Lunch Hour at Ilion Little Theatre!!!”

PS.  The dog stopped barking.  Maybe his people let him in the house.

 

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It’s a Blog Post, Not a Miracle

Posted on October 24, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is Saturday morning, and I am flustered.  Today is the date of my (wait for it) Halloweddinganniversaweenary Party.  I have to shop!  I have to cook!  I have to finish cleaning!  I have to figure out my costume!  I HAVE TO MAKE MY BLOG POST!!!

Today is going to be an all-day event, with out of town friends arriving and much fun planned.  I really wanted to make my blog post later, since the aforementioned shopping may take me to various Mohawk Valley spots.  However, later I might be visiting with friends. I remember trying to type in a blog post on the deck with two friends and Steve present.  I felt I was missing all the jokes then.  What will it be like later today?

So I guess this is kind of a pre-Scattered Saturday post.  Perhaps in typing out my plans I can consolidate exactly what I intend to do and I will end up by feeling less flustered.  But I’m not counting on it. For heavens’ sake, Cindy, it’s a blog, not a miracle!

I need a few more veggies for my veggie tray, so I intend to stop by T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables in Herkimer, NY.  Just as a side note, I was greviously disappointed when I learned that crudites were nothing more than chopped up raw vegetables.  To this day, I refuse to say I am serving my guests crudites.  I have a veggie tray.

A fall favorite I felt I must have is apple cider.  I intend to go to Parker’s Cider Mill in Ilion for that.  I may check out the Farmer’s Market while I’m there.  I have not been to the Ilion Farmer’s Market at Clapsaddle Farm on Otsego Street (just to sneak in the address in case anybody needed it) all summer.  I used to go with Tabby, my late beloved schnoodle.  She loved it there.  I felt a little too sad to go without her but always knew I would go sooner or later.

OK, I guess those were the only two real local places I had thought to visit.  I also might go to the dollar store for paper plates and the grocery store for stuff not available at T & J’s or the Farmer’s Market, but those places don’t have the Mohawk Valley cachet I crave.

On the brighter side, I’m over 350 words.  That’s pretty respectable for a flustered kind of post.  And I don’t think I did a whole lot of  whining.  Not an excessive amount. If you think this was an excessive amount, well, I just might whine about that too.  I’ll save it for Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

 

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Actors Have to Eat, Too, You Know

Posted on September 10, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Another thing about being in a play is that often one does not have time to grocery shop. Yesterday, therefore, I made a salad for today’s lunch using that old standby ingredient, What I Already Had In The House.  Today I make bold to offer a food post as part of this week’s All Roxy All The Time.

First I dumped a can of black beans into a colander and rinsed them.  While they drained I chopped up a tomato, zucchini and part of a red onion I had in the fridge.  I had purchased the tomato and zucchini at T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables in Herkimer earlier in the week, just to give the post a little local flair.   Next I sliced a few green olives.

For dressing I used mayonnaise and a little pub mustard (I like to buy different kinds of mustard; pub is the latest one I’ve tried).  To this I added a small spoonful of horseradish, a dash of hot sauce, garlic powder, salt-free lemon pepper, and cumin.  I taste-tested it as I stirred and it seemed OK.  I thought it could only get better as the flavors blended.

I’ve been eating it as I write this (at lunch time the next day) and I pronounce it  pretty good.  It got a little soupy, as salads with chopped tomato sometimes do, but not too bad.  Perhaps it is not a gourmet masterpiece, but as weekday lunch, it’ll do.

As a blog post written while I ate lunch at work then hurriedly typed in before rehearsal, I hope this will do.  Happy Wednesday and, oh look, I didn’t Wuss Out!

 

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Herkimer Hop

Posted on September 3, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Instead of  Wuss-out Wednesday, how about a brief overview of Steven’s and my running around Sunday afternoon (before it became Wrist to Forehead Sunday).  We made several stops in our hometown of  Herkimer, NY, so we’ll call it a minor Mohawk Valley adventure.

We first went to Hummel’s Office Plus, because Steven wanted to purchase some small yellow envelopes  for a prop for that play we’re in (can’t help but mention Roxy, can I?).  He found what he wanted easily.  I took the opportunity to pick up a couple of the pens I currently like best (ballpoint with a find point, excellent for how small I like to write on post cards).

After a quick stop for gas and cash, we went to T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables, to get fixings for a salad for my lunch (yet another attempt on my part to lose that last 15 pounds) (to give you an idea of how well I’m doing on that, it was previously the last 10 pounds I was trying to lose).  I got romaine lettuce, tomatoes and sharp cheddar cheese.  I had other vegetables at home.  I did not put the cheese in the salad, but I just love sharp cheddar cheese.

From there we went to Family Dollar, where I found two water bottles suitable for bringing to work.   We ran into another cast member from Roxy (just can’t get away from that play, can I?).  Our last stop was at Valley Wine and Liquor, where we purchased a bottle of Pinot Grigio, because we thought we might like to enjoy a glass of wine on the deck, time permitting (it did).

It did not take long to run our errands, and soon we were home and I was working on my blog post and dithering about auditions for  Lunch Hour, which were to take place that evening.  We felt pleased with our little burst of productivity.  I feel a little pleased that I wrote a blog post about something other than not writing a proper blog post.

 

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